This Tuesday marks the beginning of the Major Heat, or "Dashu" in Chinese, the 12th of the 24 solar terms according to the Chinese lunar calendar, signaling that most parts of China have entered the hottest season
During this period, which lasts about 15 days, high temperatures, heavy rain, and typhoons are common. The northern regions are currently experiencing their main flood seas0on, while the south is affected by typhoons and monsoons, leading to heavy rainfall and strong convective weather. In the central and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China's largest and the world's third-longest river, hot and humid conditions prevail.
In Yueqing City, east China's Zhejiang Province, residents learned to make traditional palm-leaf fans and lotus leaf cups at a local museum on Monday, experiencing ancient methods of staying cool.
Inside the museum, an instructor guided participants to create a traditional drinking vessel using freshly picked lotus leaves. They gently poke a small hole in the center of the leaf and use the stem as a straw, completing a simple cup.
"It's very interesting! I plan to go home and learn more about this because I also grow a lot of large bowl lotus plants," said Chen Lingzhi, a participant.
In addition to making lotus leaf cups, attendees also tried a hands-on activity of trimming palm leaves to create traditional fans.
"When I was a child, my grandmother used to have such fans. It brings back my childhood memories," said Ma Yun, another participant.
Another well-known custom during the Major Heat in many parts of China is eating mutton and having mutton soup. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that consuming mutton or its soup in hot weather can help the body discharge toxins through sweating.
Meanwhile, in the southeastern coastal regions, people often drink Fu tea, a special dark tea, and enjoy grass jelly, known as "Xiancao," a jelly-like dessert, to help combat the heat.
China enters hottest summer season as 'Dashu' begins
